Free walking tours in Medinaceli and what to see

Must-sees

Medinaceli sits on top of a hill above the Jalón valley and keeps a very well-preserved historic centre. The first thing you will see is the Roman arch, the only three-arched one surviving in Spain. From there you enter the town, where the Plaza Mayor, with the Alhóndiga, and the Ducal Palace, which hosts contemporary art exhibitions, stand out.

It is worth wandering without hurry. Along the way you come across the collegiate church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, the Arab gate, remains of the wall and several Roman mosaics that can be seen in the town itself. The hill has viewpoints over the mountains and the valley, with lovely light at sunset.

Free tours and guided visits

Pay-what-you-like free walking tours are rare in Medinaceli. The norm is guided tours of the town, which explain its Roman, Arab and medieval past and sometimes include the palace and the collegiate church. In high season and at weekends there is usually more on offer, so check beforehand at the tourist office.

For excursions, the Cistercian monastery of Santa María de Huerta is a few kilometres away and is visited with a guide. It also combines well with Sigüenza, in Guadalajara province, and with the salt pans in the area. For nature lovers, the Jalón valley and the Soria uplands have easy walking routes.

How long to spend

Three to four hours are enough to explore the town. With a full day you can add Santa María de Huerta and have a leisurely lunch. If you have two days, spend the second on Sigüenza or a route around the area. It works well as a weekend break.

Where to stay

The best option is to sleep in the upper town, inside the historic centre, to enjoy the silence once the visitors have gone. There are small places to stay in stone houses there. In the lower part, by the station and the road, you will find more options and easy parking, although you will have to drive or walk up to the old town.